POS0081-HPR PATIENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS IN EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS – A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: K. Drake Af Hagelsrum, I. Larsson, A. Bremander, E. Lindqvist, E. Mogard
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) benefit from combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to prevent damage to cartilage and bone, relieve symptoms, and improve or normalize physical function, quality of life, and social and work capacity. Healthy lifestyle habits, including regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation can lower the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with RA. In addition, smoking and alcohol may interfere with anti-inflammatory medication, which is why lifestyle interventions are essential in managing patients with early RA. According to international and national recommendations, healthcare professionals are expected to discuss healthy lifestyle habits with all patients with inflammatory arthritis [1]. Despite this, the effect of lifestyle discussions and how patients perceive lifestyle interventions in rheumatology care are scarcely studied. <h3>Objectives</h3> To explore how patients with early RA perceive lifestyle interventions in rheumatology care. <h3>Methods</h3> In this explorative qualitative study, 18 patients with RA followed at an early RA clinic with tight control by a rheumatologist and a rheumatology nurse during the first 2 years, were included. This also included a multidisciplinary team contact with a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist 8-12 weeks after treatment initiation and, if needed, a social worker and additional contacts with the team. Individual interviews were conducted with 12 women and 6 men, aged 23 to 74, with a disease duration of 2-3 years at the time of the interview. The main question was: "Can you tell me about your perceptions of lifestyle interventions in rheumatology care?" The interviews were analyzed with latent qualitative content analysis (2), and three categories and an overarching theme emerged (Table 1). <h3>Results</h3> Patients perceived that lifestyle interventions in rheumatology care enable self-management in early RA. The usefulness of lifestyle interventions was perceived to depend on personal preferences of lifestyle support and prioritization of lifestyle interventions. The design of lifestyle interventions should be based on a person-centred approach, patient education, and recurrent lifestyle support. To promote healthy lifestyle habits, the outcome of lifestyle interventions should contribute to the knowledge of healthy lifestyle habits, motivation for lifestyle changes, and empowerment in patients with early RA. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Patients perceived that the usefulness, design, and outcome of lifestyle interventions in rheumatology care are essential when enabling self-management in patients with early RA. <h3>References</h3> [1]Agca R, Heslinga SC, Rollefstad S, Heslinga M, McInnes IB, Peters MJL et al. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:17-28 [2]Graneheim UH, Lundman B. Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Educ Today. 2004;24:105-12 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.